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Valdivia

Valdivia is in Southern Chile.

[edit] Get in

Twice daily one-stop flights by LAN Express Boeing 737 to/from Santiago for 75000 pesos (lan.com Internet fare). The airport is about 35km north of Valdivia. Numerous shuttles await the flights and take you into the city for 5000 pesos.

The town has a cool little fish market by the river side where you can feed Sea lions and Pelicans with tidbits or snacks that you can buy from the fish mongers.

Loads of tour operators offering boat tours to various ruined 17th Century Spanish forts. The cruises stop and allow you to explore the ruins or walk in the forests. Most tours go to the Pacific Ocean at Corral and stop for a 30 minute visit here. Tour lasts about 5 hours. Ticket price includes a quality meal and indoor seating. Tour guide narration in Spanish only. Beverages not included in the price. The boats depart from the same area as the fish market.

Marzipan and german desserts at Chocolateria Entrelagos (downtown-at one block from the central square).

During January and February there's a feira at Niebla on the coast. Seafood stalls and folk music and dancing until 11:00pm. Delicious empanadas de mariscos and other asado and seafood. 40 or 50 food stalls and free entry provide a great evening of entertainment. Buses run to and from Valdivia and at closing there are several buses lined up to take people back to Valdivia.

Curanto served in Valdivia, Chile

Chinese Food on Restaurant Yang Cheng

Curanto. This is a large serving of steamed shellfish served with a boiled sausage, boiled chicken leg, and potatoes. It is not always on the menu but try looking for restaurants with a large sign on the sidewalk or in the window that states "HOY CURANTO".

Jamon Jamon is a great place to go for Tapas and Spanish food; it is very cheap and although it is a small place, it has lots of charm.

Restaurant Yang Cheng is a traditional place about chinese food. This have 20 years of tradition on Valdivia city. Have a menu with more than 50 variety of chinese food.

There is a place called "Ocio"; it's a chill-out bar and they offer great Pisco sour.

Cervecería Kunstmann for those who love beer; this tastes so good!. You can visit the restaurant in the factory, just 10 minutes to the downtown.

You find a dozen of places for dance or drink in "Calle Esmeralda", a short street in the downtown.

Airesbuenos, General Lagos. Located in one of the oldest buildings in town, a huge white mansion with a great front porch and an upper balcony. It's very affordable and clean and is run by a very hip, friendly, and open-minded fellow from Argentina. It attracts all kinds of fun people.

Hostel Pratt, 595 Prat, with a great view of the Calle Calle river (it's right across the street) is convenient to the bus terminal and to downtown. The rooms are a bit dark and the beds have seen better days and the bathrooms are small. Friendly staff and a good breakfast. 20,000 pesos.

Hotel Palace, Chacabuco 308, Phone (63)213319. Downtown, one block off the main plaza and three blocks from the river, in the middle of everything. Nice rooms, comfortable beds, cable TV, private bath, friendly staff (no English/Deutsch (German) spoken). 28,000 pesos, including breakfast.